Book Review By: Garth Mashmann
Abstract: This book is a collection of papers written by South African professors regarding Indigenous Knowledge Systems and indigenous peoples’ rights to Intellectual Property protection. The articles focus on the tension between existing intellectual property regimes and indigenous knowledge systems, highlighting the fact that African concepts of ownership are significantly different from Western concepts. Systems which protect intellectual property rights in the West are not adaptable to Africa. Many of the articles call for significant change in national and international intellectual property regimes.
About the Authors: John Kiggundu is a professor at the University of Botswana and is a professor in the department of law. After studying Law at Makerere University he earned his Doctorate in Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College in 1985. He then taught at South Bank University, London. He specializes and has been published in Company Law, Intellectual Property, Mercantile Law, and Private International law.
Mogomme Alpheus Masoga has a PhD and was employed by the National Research Foundation in Pretoria, South Africa.
Kgomotso Moahi is a lecturer at the University of Botswana and teaches health information systems and information science. She has earned a PhD and is the head of the Department of Library and Information Studies.
Isaac Mazonde is Director of Research and Development at the University of Botswana where he has been an associate professor since 1978.
Siamisang Morolong has lectured on the topics of Property Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business Law and Environmental Law at the University of Botswana.
Mogege Mosimege is the manager of the Bilateral Relations Unit in the Department of Science and Technology in South Africa. He has been extensively involved in the Indigenous Knowledge Systems debate and helped to develop IKS Policy in South Africa. His research focuses on ethnomathematics.
Otsile Ntsoane has researched and published widely on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and technology transfer. He is Deputy Director in the Department of Science and Technology in Pretoria, South Africa.
Francis B. Nyamnjoh has published widely in Cameroon and Botswana and taught sociology, anthropology and communication studies. He is an Associate Professor and Head of Publications and Dissemination with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).
Wapula Nelly Raditloaneng is currently a lecturer at the University of Botswana in Adult Education.
Alinah K. Segobye is a member of the Archeology Unit of the Department of History at the University of Botswana.
Pradip Thomas has published articles and books relating to intellectual property and communication rights. He is an Associate Professor at the School of Journalism & Communication at the University of Queensland.